The Truth About Nuts
by Chloe Murphy | 18th Aug 2022
Nuts sometimes have a bad rep, with people associating them as 'fattening' foods. However, according to The Food Pyramid, nuts are included in a healthy balanced diet. So should we be adding them to our diet or not?
Here is some information about nuts.
Nuts contain a vast number of nutrients including magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, selenium, vitamin E, and B vitamins. In addition, nuts are high in fibre and are a plant-based protein source meaning they are a satisfying snack, keeping you full for longer, which is important for weight management.
Studies have shown that eating nuts can help reduce blood cholesterol and lower the risk of heart disease. This is suggested to be a result of the unsaturated fat present in nuts.
So, yes, nuts are high in fat, however, this is mainly unsaturated fat, which can be referred to as 'good' fat.
To conclude, nuts are a great addition to the diet!
Which Nuts Should I Go For?
When opting for nuts, choose the unsalted varieties, as many contain added oil, salt, and/or sugar.
Make sure to portion control. An average serving in Ireland is 40g, which is about one handful. Why not try our range of nuts as part of our Healthy Snacks. It will also give you an idea of what one portion looks like.
You can also add nuts to your breakfast or salads. We add nuts to a range of meals here at GourmetFuel including our Crunchy Thai Chicken Stir Fry, Strawberry & Balsamic Grilled Chicken Salad, Goats Cheese, Pine Nuts, and Cranberry Rocket Salad.
We also have added two new snacks, our Trail Mix and Keto Trail Mix, which include a range of nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.
What About Nut Butter?
Nuts butter is also a good addition to the diet. Again, opt for the varieties without added oil, salt, or sugar, and be mindful of portion size. One portion of nut butter is about 1 tablespoon. It can be a great snack paired with fruit such as apples or bananas, or with some whole grain crackers.
Try add some nut butter to your breakfast or use it as a spread on sandwiches or why not try our Cocoa & Almond Butter Overnight Oats which includes some delicious almond butter.